We know information flies fast these days! As a service for the many of you who simply can’t keep up, here’s snippet summaries of business blog posts created by Orange County Register reporters and editors on Dec. 11

Jon Lansner: Orange County’s Treasurer/Tax Collector reports that as of Dec. 10 — deadline day for the first installment of the 2009-2010 secured property tax bills — that collections ran $43 million ahead of the same timeframe a year ago. To … (4:39 pm) MORE »

Matt Degen: Auto Motion had the privilege of touring Jay Leno’s Garage last week with other media folk ahead of the L.A. Auto Show, and we’re still wiping up the drool. The tour of Leno’s private collection came courtesy of Mercedes-Benz, whose … (4:03 pm) MORE »

Nancy Luna, Staff Writer: Taco Bell has been testing its breakfast menu in at least two Orange County fast-food restaurants. The Irvine-based chain has declined to talk about the menu testing, which includes several interesting meal options such as a French Toast sandwich stu … (3:18 pm) MORE »

KELLI HART, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER: These San Clemente homes or parcels are in default on loans and scheduled to go to auction according to legal notices printed Dec. 10. If you wish to obtain information regarding a particular property, call the information number the day before the a … (3:00 pm) MORE »

Marla Jo Fisher, Staff Writer: Girls pink jersey My kids love these Jr. Angels baseball packs, we’ve got them for the last two years. They are a good deal. And this year, they include tickets to an All Star event (no, sadly, not the game) They cost $20, $18 plus $2 shipping. … (2:45 pm) MORE »

Peggy Lowe: I heard from lots of people who have problems getting their unemployement benefits from the California Employment Development Department after I wrote about Chris Hoppe’s experiences. With their permission, I’m sharing a couple stories: … (2:06 pm) MORE »

Lisa Liddane, retail reporter: Photo: Leonard Ortiz/The Orange County Register Neiman Marcus has something sitting in the courtyard next to its store at Fashion Island in Newport Beach for uber-luxury customers not hit by the recession – the Icon A5 sports aircraft, which is featu … (1:56 pm) MORE »

Nancy Luna, Staff Writer: via News – The Orange County Register. A 49-year-old man was arrested after passing out in his car at a fast food drive-thru early this morning. Deputies were called to the Jack in the Box on Rockfield Boulevard and El Toro Road at 1:26 a.m. by emplo … (1:55 pm) MORE »

Jan Norman, small-business columnist: With all the urging for small businesses to create new jobs, what will such an effort cost? More than it would have three months ago, the Bureau of Labor Statistics says. The average hourly cost of adding a job in private industry increased 2.6% to $ … (12:00 pm) MORE »

Erika Chavez, Staff Writer: While many people criticize Irvine for being chock full of cookie cutter tract homes, all it takes is a drive through the city to realize its villages have distinct feels and personalities. Our OC Register Wiki includes pages for every Irvine village … (12:00 pm) MORE »

Marla Jo Fisher, Staff Writer: Who says you have to spend money to have fun for the holidays? There’s plenty of things to do that won’t cost you a dime. In fact, you’d have to be a little crazy to pay for things to do, when all this holiday cheer is available … (11:57 am) MORE »

Marla Jo Fisher, Staff Writer: Buy a 4-pack of GURU Energy drink using an Albertsons Rewards Card and get a free lift ticket to ski or snowboard Mt. Baldy. This promotion is available at any Albertsons store through the end of December. You can get an Albertsons card on the spot, … (11:56 am) MORE »

Mary Ann Milbourn: Three out of four employers in the Los Angeles-Orange County area plan to maintain their current staffing levels in the first quarter of 2010, but among the rest more expect to be laying off rather than hiring, according to the latest Manpower Employ … (11:30 am) MORE »

Jeff Collins: One in a series of commercial real estate forecasts … The USC Casden Forecast predicts at least two more years of pain for offices in Orange County and Southern California as a whole. But the industrial market could recover next year, part … (11:00 am) MORE »

Brittany Levine, The Orange County Register: Always wanted to perform some front snaps and reverse hooks? National Tae Kwon Do Academy will teach you how and for a steal, too. The academy is having a holiday special. Six weeks of lessons cost $99. That deal includes 12 lessons and a free gi … (10:42 am) MORE »

Marla Jo Fisher, Staff Writer: Going Christmas shopping this weekend? Here is a roundup of some sales for you. Personally, I’m heading over to Target for the boys’ hoodies for $10 each. My son loses one per week, so I need to buy 52 of them to last until next Christm … (10:40 am) MORE »

Nancy Luna, Staff Writer: Updated 1 p.m. ——– Paul Berkman founded the first Rutabegorz nearly 40 years ago in Fullerton. I’m headed to Rutabegorz in Tustin this morning to watch owner Paul Berkman being interviewed for a new multi-media show on Foodcha … (10:24 am) MORE »

Jon Lansner: Zillow, the pioneering online real estate database, offers up unique perspectives of the real estate world as they attempt to value as many homes as possible for a very public audience. We chatted with Zillow’s chief economist, Stan Humphries, … (10:00 am) MORE »

Marla Jo Fisher, Staff Writer: Ho ho ho. Apparently, Santa got that handsome velvet suit and those groovy leather boots at Nordstrom, at least that is the inference between now and Christmas Eve, when the big guy will put in appearances every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Nor … (9:36 am) MORE »

Marla Jo Fisher, Staff Writer: Really, if you haven’t seen these gorgeous florist-quality poinsettias, you owe it to yourself to come down and buy some at this college in Costa Mesa. They’ve been hand-grown and nurtured by college horticulture students and they have al … (9:10 am) MORE »

Marla Jo Fisher, Staff Writer: Inflight internet. What’s that? I got this deal from Julia Scott, the Bargain Babe. It allows you a free trial of the Gogo Inflight Internet system with your Wi-Fi enabled laptop or other device. And, conveniently, it’s just before the busy … (8:23 am) MORE »

Marla Jo Fisher, Staff Writer: Tonight is free Shark Lagoon night where you can pet sharks and listen to live music at the Aquarium of the Pacific. My kids love to do this. To clarify, the entire aquarium is not open tonight (Dec. 11), just the outdoor Shark Lagoon in the rear. … (7:50 am) MORE »

Tamara Chuang, a.k.a. The Gadgetress: UPDATED, 12:33 p.m.: Some readers have responded with details on the rate increase. See below in bold. __________________________ The letters announcing price hikes for 2010 began arriving this week, Time Warner Cable has confirmed. But not all custo … (7:03 am) MORE »

PAUL HODGINS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER: Every time I go wine-tasting around Paso Robles, I try to include a few newer wineries in my itinerary (or at least places we’ve somehow overlooked). This time, following the recommendation of the two lively, hairy wine sages in the tasting … (7:00 am) MORE »

Matt Degen: What’s the one light you dread seeing in your car — aside from the red and blue ones in your rear-view mirror? The one in the dash that erupts telling you to “check engine.” We’ve probably all been there, and if youÌµ … (6:15 am) MORE »

Marla Jo Fisher, Staff Writer: It’s Friday, folks, and we made it through another week. And, it’s another week closer to Christmas. I have put up no lights, bought no Christmas tree and very few presents. Usually I am the hyper organized Type A type who’s finishe … (5:40 am) MORE »

Jan Norman, small-business columnist: Franchising, which usually booms in recession, lost 10,000 units in the past year, 1.2% of all franchisees in the United States, according to AllBusiness.com in its second annual ranking of top franchisors. In fact, 60 franchisors were dropped from A … (5:30 am) MORE »

Erika Chavez, Staff Writer: Wednesday’s post offering advice to would-be home buyers included Realtor Mike Aubrey recommending a 20% down payment. Aubrey’s reasoning: “The loans that carry the best interest rates often require a 20% down payment. Not only does … (5:00 am) MORE »

Marilyn Kalfus, real estate reporter: The listing exhorts prospective buyers to “beat the bank,” and they mean it — literally. Legal notices show this 3-bedroom house not far from the Bella Terra mall has been scheduled for a foreclosure auction. The 1-level, ranch-st … (5:00 am) MORE »

KELLI HART, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER: There’s a vacant land parcel up for grabs in the famed community of Cotton Point where Nixon’s Western White House is located. The image above is a a view of the lot from Cyberhomes.com. This is apparently the last vacant parcel left in … (4:00 am) MORE »

Mathew Padilla: Randy Johnson, president of Independence Mortgage Co. in Newport Beach, author of “How to Save Thousands of Dollars on Your Home Mortgage” and a mortgage broker since 1983, answers questions… Q. My wife and I are currently in a five-year, inter … (1:00 am) MORE »

Mary Ann Milbourn: GMAC’s mortgage operations in Costa Mesa has 15 openings now and may have more as it consolidates work being done back East, a company spokeswoman confirmed Thursday. The company, which is part of GMAC Financial Services based in Detroit, announced i … (1:00 am) MORE »

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